Fifth-wheel.



, No. 727,727. PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

F. B. WHITLOOK.

FIFTH WHEEL 7 APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1902.

m: m was PETERS 00.. PuoTo-uma, WASNINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES iatented an 12,1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK B. WHITLOOK, o INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, AssieNoR To THE NATIONALMALLEABLE CASTINGS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,727, dated May 12,loos;

Application filed July 7, 1902. Serial No. 114,567. (No model.)

T0 of, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK B. WHIT- LOOK, of Indianapolis, in thecounty of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a 5 new and usefulFifth-Wheel, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional sideelevation of my improved fifth-wheel; and Fig. 2 is a bottom plan viewof the same, partly broken away.

My invention relates to the class of fifthwheels for vehicles, and isdesigned to provide a device of this character which will relieve theking-bolt of pulling strains, will obviate the tendency to shearing ofthe king bolt, and afford a simple and cheap and strong construction.

'In the form shown in the drawings, 2 represents the front axle, 3 theaxle-bed, secured thereon, and 4 the head-block or bolster. The lowercircle-plate consists of arc-shaped portions 5 5, preferably castintegral with the longitudinal bar 6, extending along the top of theaxle-bed. The upper circle-plate is shown as consisting of arc-shapedportions 7 7, cast integrally with the longitudinal bar 8, secured tothe lower face of the -head-block and having rearwardly-extend ingperch-irons 9 9 joined to the outer ends of the parts 7 7 and having,preferably, a connecting-web 10.

The bar 6 is shown as secured by U-shaped clips 11, Whose legs projectdownwardly 12, fitting against the under side of the axle. This bar 12is provided with a rearwardlyprojecting ring portion 13, through whichextends a tubular casting 14, surrounding the king-bolt 15. The tube orsleeve 14 also extends upwardiy througha ring portion 16, projectingfrom the lower circle-plate, and through a similar ring portion 17,forming a part of the upper circle-plate between the inner ends of theperch-irons. Above the upper ring or collar 17 the sleeve 14: is formedwith an enlarged portion 18,having upwardlyprojecting lugs 19, which arescrewed or otherwise secured to the head-block.

The lower end of the sleeve 14 fits in a circular recess in the frontend of a brace 20,

through holes in lateral lugs of a lower bar,

whichlh'ave shown as having two legs socured to the perch-irons attheirrear ends. .The king-bolt is preferablyprovided beneath its headwith vertical angular ridges 2l,which are arranged to engage the bore ofthe sleeve 14. to prevent rotation of the one relative to the other, andthe king-bolt is screw-threaded at its lower end to receive 'the usualnut 22, which holds the parts in position.

The advantages of my invention result from the use of the sleeve ortubular casting, by which pulling strain is removed from the king-boltand a strong construction afforded. The bolt serves merely to hold thebrace in position at the lower end.

The sleeve may be made without the upper enlargement slugs and need notbe attached to the head-block. The sleeve could also be attached to theupper circle-plate, and many other variations may be made in the formand arrangement of the parts without departing from my invent-ion.

Iclaim l. A fifth-wheel having a sleeve surrounding the king-bolt andextending through the upper and lower circle-plates, the uppercircle-plate resting upon the lower circle-plate around the hole for thesleeve; substantially as described.

2. A-fifth-wheel having a sleeve extending through a cylindrical hole inthe lower circleplate, and connections arranged to prevent the sleevefrom rotating relatively to the upper plate, said plates being incontact around the sleeve; substantially as described.

3. A fifth-wheel having upper and lower circle-plates with circularholes, a sleeve surrounding the king bolt and extending through saidholes, and a projection on the sleeve secured to the head-block;substantially as described.

4. A fifth-wheel having a sleeve surrounding the king-bolt, andextending through circular holes in the lower circle-plate, and asecuring-plate below the axle'and connections arranged to prevent thesleeve fromrotating relatively to the upper circle-plate;.si1bstantiallyas described.

5. A fifth-wheel having upper and lower circle-plates with registeringhubs having cylindrical holes, a lower axle-plate with a registeringring portion, and a sleeve surrounding the king bolt and extendingthrough the three registering circular holes, said sleeve having aconnection arranged to prevent rotation relatively to the uppercircle-plates; substantially as described.

6. A fifth-wheel having upper and lower circle-plates with registeringholes, said plates being in contact around the holes, a sleeve extendingthrough the holes and above the level of the upper circle, and aking-bolt within the sleeve having its head out of contact with thecircle and having connections arranged to prevent its rotationrelatively to one of the circles; substantially as described.

7. A fifth-wheel having upper and lower

